Green Power

Missouri Customers Now Have Access to Certified Renewable Energy

The Center for Resource Solutions announced today that AmerenUE's Pure Power, a voluntary renewable energy program available to the company's 1.2 million electric customers in Missouri, is now Green-e Energy certified. AmerenUE joins a network of renewable energy providers that offer products certified by Green-e, the nation's leading certification and verification program for renewable energy.

"Pure Power is the only Green-e certified renewable electricity program offered in Missouri," said Lars Kvale, Green-e analyst. "Now AmerenUE's customers in Missouri have easy access to certified renewable energy through their local utility."

AmerenUE's Missouri Pure Power program is sourced from wind facilities located in Missouri, with plans to support a more eligible renewable resources sourced from the region in the future. Sourcing renewable energy certificates (RECs) from local and regional resources for Pure Power results in better local air quality and creates demand for development of regional renewable resources. 3Degrees Group, Inc. will develop and manage the Pure Power program over the next five years. Green-e Energy certification of Pure Power shows that AmerenUE is committed to delivering a quality renewable energy option to its customers.

Green-e Energy is the leading renewable energy certification and verification program in the U.S., with sales Green-e certified renewable energy totaling nearly ten million MWhs in 2006. This includes purchases by 208,000 residential customers and almost 7,000 commercial customers across the U.S. and Canada. The program provides independent, third-party certification to ensure certified renewable energy meets strict environmental and consumer-protection standards.  Through the display and recognition of the Green-e logo, the national symbol for renewable energy excellence, a growing number of consumers are able to easily identify high-quality, certified renewable energy options, as well as everyday consumer products that are produced by companies that use renewable energy in their operations.

Providers of Green-e certified renewable energy agree to abide by the Green-e Code of Conduct and meet strict Green-e disclosure and truth-in-advertising requirements. All Green-e marketers undergo an annual verification audit to document that the company purchased and/or generated enough quantity and type of renewable energy or RECs to meet customer demand and marketing claims. Source: Press Release from Center for Resource Solutions, 11/13/2007.

NYU Buys More Wind Power Credit

NYU bought 132 million kilowatt-hours of wind power last month, almost 12 percent more wind power than the university's landmark purchase last year that simultaneously made NYU the city's largest customer of wind power and launched its campaign for greater environmental awareness.

According to Cecil Scheib, NYU's director of energy and sustainability, the purchase is a renewal and expansion of last fall's purchase of 118 million kilowatt-hours of wind power. That purchase put the university above every other university in the nation for green energy purchasing and earned NYU a Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "We have an ongoing commitment in trying to do well by the environment and what that takes is something we reconsider each year," Scheib said.

Jeremy Friedman, a Gallatin alumnus and the project administrator for NYU's Sustainability Task Force, is extremely pleased with the progress NYU has made in the past year.  "Here I was, a student at the university who had been advocating these things for three years and encouraging the school to make some small changes," Friedman said. "When the university made the announcement, I was pretty astonished and thrilled. It was a watershed moment. The amount of success we've had this past year is even greater."

The university buys the wind power in the form of renewable energy credits from FPL Energy, Scheib said. All of the RECs are certified by a third party called Green-e, the nation's leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy. The energy purchase is meant to offset 100 percent of NYU's anticipated energy use for the 2008 fiscal year and is funded by the budget for NYU's Facilities and Construction Management organization.

The wind energy does not power the university itself, Scheib said. Instead, ConEdison owns the power grid that brings electricity to NYU and the school pays them for the "transportation and delivery" of their purchased electricity on an ongoing basis. The electricity itself is purchased from a third-party seller, which this year is a Washington, D.C.-area based company called Pepco Energy Services. "By funding the RECs, we are encouraging a large amount of energy to be produced that omits no carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases and doesn't have the negative effects associated with other energy sources like coal mining, oil drilling and refining or nuclear power," Scheib said. Wind power particularly meets NYU's demand for the development of environmentally friendly energy sources.

The purchase of wind power RECs is among NYU's ongoing initiatives in environmental sustainability and reducing energy consumption, but there is more to come. "One of our big goals is to reduce campus-wide consumption of energy," Friedman said. "There's purchasing, but the second piece to the puzzle is generation. The third piece is conservation." Generation involves the upgrade of NYU's cogeneration plant on Mercer Street between West Third and Fourth Streets. The plant will quadruple the number of buildings powered by the current facility, which is outdated; the plant is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2009. Conservation, meanwhile, is being addressed in small ways for now, like installing more efficient fluorescent lighting, Friedman said. "By conserving energy and reducing the amount we use, it reduces the amount we need to produce," he said.  Source: Zachary Keach, Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: University News.

Lincoln City Blue Sky Challenge Generates Change

Lincoln City's challenge to its citizens to support renewable energy began on Earth Day and ended on Halloween, Oct. 31, but for the environment, it was all treats and no tricks. "This has been a great experience for our community," said Mayor Lori Hollingsworth, who initiated work on the challenge early in 2007. "Not only has Lincoln City established itself as a leader among small cities in sustainability, but through the Blue Sky renewable energy program, we have had a tangible effect on improving the world around us."

Co-sponsored by Pacific Power and the Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce, the community challenge reached its goal in June, just six weeks after being formally announced. At that time, Lincoln City became the 10th Green Power Community in the nation to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The award is given to communities where government and private citizens commit community-wide to purchasing at least 4 percent of the community's total electrical energy load from renewable sources.

Lincoln City customers chose Blue Sky, the renewable energy program offered by Pacific Power. Successes, such as the Lincoln City challenge, led to Blue Sky being recognized nationally in October as 2007 Green Power Program of the Year by the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA. "The people, businesses and city of Lincoln City all deserve a big hand," Doris Johnston, regional community manager for Pacific Power, said. "Lincoln City showed what it means to act locally for global benefit."

Overall, sign-ups surpassed the initial goal by nearly 200 enrollments, or 150 percent of the original goal. During the challenge, business customer participation increased 135 percent and residential participation increased by 81 percent. Today, the 519 households and 40 Lincoln City businesses enrolled in Pacific Power's Blue Sky program are having a positive environmental impact. These purchases avoid creating 5,004 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, which has the same environmental benefit as taking 858 cars off the road or planting 1,966 acres of trees. Organizers celebrated the challenge's conclusion Saturday, Nov. 3 at the annual Lincoln City Breakfast & Birds event, sponsored by Pacific Power and the Audubon Society of Lincoln City. "The formal challenge may be complete, but the effort is never really over," Johnston said. "We hope customers in Lincoln City and throughout the Northwest will continue to use the Blue Sky program to promote renewable energy."

Blue Sky renewable energy comes from new, pollution-free wind, biomass and solar projects, the majority of which are based in the Pacific Northwest. These facilities help offset emissions from traditional generation sources and stimulate even more investment in new renewable generation facilities. Customers have a range of options when it comes to buying Blue Sky renewable energy: Blue Sky Block, Usage or Habitat.

Buying just one, 100-kilowatthour increment of Blue Sky Block costs only $1.95 per month. Customers can buy as many blocks as they wish. Blue Sky Usage allows customers to offset all of their energy usage with renewable resources for 78 cents per kilowatt-hour, while with Blue Sky Habitat, customers buy renewable energy at the same rate as Blue Sky Usage plus make a donation to The Nature Conservancy of Oregon to preserve native fish habitat. Large customers can buy renewable power in bulk at a discount through Blue Sky QS. Participation is optional, and customers can increase their participation or withdraw at any time.

Listed below are the business participants who are enrolled in the Blue Sky Business Partner program:
Lincoln City Businesses Supporting, Blue Sky Renewable Energy, Chinook Winds Casino Resort, Historic Anchor Inn, Inc., City of Lincoln City, Lincoln City Liquor Outlet, Inc., Blackfish Cafe, Darryl Ambrose, David Wagner, Desperate Hard Drives, Inc., Earth Works Gallery, Excellence, Inc., Frame Cellar & Gallery, Gamez On, Hairwest, John L. Scott, Lincoln City, Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln City Youth League, Lucky Dog Grooming And Daycare, Inc., Nyberg Homestead L.L.C., Oceanlake Rexall Pharmacy, Oil Can Henry's, Pacific Chiropractic, Paws On The Sand, Red Cock Craftsmen's Outlet, Service Master Carpet, Trillium Natural Foods.

Renewable Energy Technologies

Solar-Powered Station Uses the Sun to Produce Clean Energy for the Grid and the Road

Striving for cleaner air is just one of the promises the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) makes to its customers. That's why SMUD is supporting advanced Transportation with clean solar electricity. A new solar array on the SMUD campus will soon provide enough electricity to generate hydrogen for SMUD's small fleet of fuel-cell electric vehicles and provide clean electricity to the grid during peak power demands. Not only does the technology help clean the air in Sacramento, it also helps reduce carbon emissions associated with both power generation and vehicle petroleum usage, reducing climate change impacts.
 
The photovoltaic (PV) array, just west of the SMUD Headquarters building on S Street, which is visible from Highway 50, was just completed. It delivers 80 kilowatts of power produced by the sun, which is enough power to provide electricity for about 40 single-family homes or provide hydrogen for about 14 fuel-cell vehicles. Construction on the hydrogen fueling station will be done by the end of the year. Until then, the solar power generated by the panels will feed into the SMUD grid.
 
Designed as a demonstration project, the solar-powered fueling station will fuel the seven fuel-cell electric vehicles that SMUD is testing in a partnership with BP, Ford and Daimler-Chrysler. As the solar panels make electricity, an electrolyzer at the station will use that energy to separate water into hydrogen to make clean fuel for the vehicles. The amount of hydrogen produced at the site will be kept low for safety considerations.
 
The photovoltaic array is sited where an old building was demolished and it also replaces a smaller photovoltaic array that SMUD installed in the early 1990s to support SMUD's then fleet of battery electric vehicles. SMUD still operates many battery electric vehicles but they are now dispersed throughout the SMUD campus.
 
One of the core values of the SMUD Board of Directors is environmental protection, which is why, for nearly 20 years, the electric utility has been at the forefront of testing and adapting alternative fuel vehicles to District business. In addition to the fuel-cell vehicles, SMUD is also testing battery electric vehicles and a plug-in hybrid vehicle that gets 100 miles per gallon. SMUD also uses numerous conventional hybrid vehicles as well as several flex fuel vehicles that can use ethanol fuel or gasoline. Source: Smud, 10/29/07.

AEP to Deploy Advanced Metering

On October 4, 2007 AEP and GE announced a partnership to deploy advanced metering technology to 200,000 customers by year-end 2008, to one million customers by year-end 2010, and to all of its five million customers by year-end 2015. This state-of-the-art system will allow AEP's customers to respond to time-of-day pricing and will also automate many of AEP's transmission and distribution operations. Among its many benefits, this system will permit AEP to better integrate distributed energy resources into grid operations. AEP's chairman, president and CEO, Michael G. Morris says, "We understand what our customers want ? and we have the engineering expertise to make it work. This is an exciting opportunity, and one that could help define how electric utilities function in the coming decades."  Source: IREC State & Stakeholder Newsletter, 11/14/2007.

NREL Report Sees Near-Term Supply Shortage for Renewable Power

A combination of state renewable energy requirements and voluntary "green power" purchases of renewable energy are causing the demand for renewable energy to exceed the supply, according to a recent report from DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Published in late October, the report notes that green power purchases reached 12 million megawatt-hours in 2006, a three-fold increase from 2003. Meanwhile, 25 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws that require renewable energy to provide from 2 percent to 30 percent of each state's electricity supply within the next five to 15 years.

Noting that most of the new renewable energy capacity is currently in the form of wind power, the report projects near-term renewable energy capacity increases using two scenarios: a steady increase of 4,000 megawatts (MW) per year through 2010, and an increase that accelerates to 7,000 MW per year by 2010. Assuming a continued growth in green power of 35 percent per year, and taking into account the amount of renewable power required by the states, the report finds that demand for renewable power is already slightly exceeding the supply. In the "steady increase" scenario, supply lags further and further behind demand through 2010, while the "accelerating" supply scenario comes much closer to meeting demand, but still falls short.

The report concludes that there is a national need to accelerate renewable energy deployment from all energy sources to meet the burgeoning demand for renewable power. It also notes that future policy changes could increase the demand or slow the increase in the supply, while a supply shortage could drive up costs in the green power market and discourage the voluntary purchasing of renewable power. Source: EERE Network News, 11/14/2007. 

Animal Waste in Duke's Future?

It might not be as sexy as harnessing the wind, sun and water. But electricity produced from animal waste and plant matter could become a major part of the state's renewable energy future. Duke Energy Corp. says technology has improved to the point it plans to invest in biomass power plants, where animal waste and other organic material is burned directly or processed to generate electricity.

 North Carolina--with multiple paper mills, scads of poultry farms and more hogs than people--is well-suited to be a center for the nascent biomass power-generation industry, said David Mohler, Duke's chief technology officer. It could mean more jobs and extra investment as the plants come online over the next decade-and-a-half. It also would help N.C. hog and chicken farmers dispose of environmentally hazardous animal waste by putting it to good use, supporters of biomass energy say. It's also required of Duke and other major utilities under a new state renewable energy law. Congress is mulling a similar requirement.

The Charlotte-based utility invited bids earlier this year with the aim of buying at least 2,100 megawatts of renewable energy--about the equivalent output of three large-scale natural gas- or coal-fired power plants. Duke says it has studied close to 100 proposals and has a short list of 10, including wind, solar and biomass projects. It plans to choose a final group by the end of the year, Mohler said.

It's all part of the greening of Duke as it deals with the requirements of new government regulation and protests from environmental groups over coal-fired power projects in North Carolina and Indiana. Environmentalists say that carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired plants are a major cause of global warming and that Duke and other utilities instead should be focused on renewable energy and conservation.

Ivan Urlaub, executive director of the N.C. Sustainable Energy Coalition, said his group expects half of the electricity produced in North Carolina from renewable sources by 2018 to come from biomass. He said that wood and other plant matter would be part of the equation and that a byproduct of paper mill production, called pulping liquor, can also be turned into gas and burned to produce electricity. Hog waste gives off methane, which can be burned to generate electricity. Poultry litter is burned directly, like a fossil fuel in a power plant. Hog waste is predicted to produce only a few megawatts. But poultry litter can fire a 50-MW plant, Urlaub said. That's enough electricity to power up to 60,000 homes.

Even so, biomass has an environmental downside, and the green community is divided, Urlaub said. Biomass power plants, in general, can produce nitrogen oxide, part of the recipe for harmful ground-level ozone. And burning poultry waste, in particular, emits higher concentrations of certain air pollutants than burning coal--including higher levels of nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, the major ingredient of acid rain, according to the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League.

Urlaub said burning the poultry litter and then cleaning the emissions is a better environmental path than relying more on coal mining, which can destroy mountain habitats. Biomass power plants also emit carbon dioxide, a main culprit of global warming. But Duke's Mohler pointed out that biomass has an advantage over coal; vegetation grown as replacement fuel or to feed chickens and hogs ends up absorbing carbon dioxide and emitting oxygen in return. "It actually removes the carbon dioxide from the environment."

Legislation passed earlier this year requires Duke and other major utilities to produce 10 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2018 and 12.5 percent by 2021. It sets out minimum percentages for each specific source, such as solar power and poultry litter. At least 21 states and Washington, D.C., mandate a certain percentage of electricity come from renewable energy.

In addition to biomass, Duke said it plans to focus on solar energy projects to meet the requirement and also because the technology is becoming more cost-efficient. Other than hydroelectric power, which dates to the advent of large-scale power production, biomass is already the nation's leading source of electricity from renewable sources, accounting for about 10 percent. According to 2003 U.S. Department of Energy figures, about 10,000 megawatts of the electricity is produced domestically, which included about 6,000 MW from burning plant matter. A minor portion currently comes from animal waste. Duke currently generates less than 3 percent of its electricity from hydroelectric dams and only 3 MW from biomass.

It buys that electricity from two landfills that use the methane from decaying garbage to run three generators. Duke's entire fleet of Carolinas power plants can put out about 20,000 MW. About 52 percent comes from coal and 46 percent from nuclear energy.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council:

• In the Southeast and Pacific Northwest, the lumber, pulp and paper industries supply 60 percent of the energy they need to run their factories by burning wood waste.
• More than 100 biomass plants in 31 states burn methane gas generated from landfills.
• American farmers and refiners produce almost 4 billion gallons of ethanol a year from corn energy crops. There are currently 84 ethanol plants in the United States, and 16 more in the works. The ethanol is usually blended with gasoline. All cars and trucks can use blends of 10 percent ethanol, and there are already nearly 5 million "flexible fuel" vehicles on the road that can use up to 85 percent ethanol.  

Source: Natural Resources Defense Council Web site, 11/14/2007.

Local McDonald's Digging Deep to Go Green

The McDonald's restaurant on the corner of Cervantes and Ninth Avenue in Pensacola really digs energy efficiency. In fact, it's digging 55 holes, 350 feet deep to take advantage of the Earth's constant temperature for heating and cooling the new restaurant.

The geothermal heat pump is touted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy as a superior energy-efficient, environmentally friendly heating and cooling system. And now a local McDonald's is evaluating this "green" system as a corporate model.

Geothermal technology is proven to cut heating and cooling costs by as much as 50 percent by using the earth's constant, mild temperature to heat or cool water through underground loops. In comparison, traditional commercial air conditioning systems are often installed on the roof top where temperatures may soar on a hot summer day. The significant energy savings of the geothermal system ? as well as the projected life of the loops of more than 50 years ? offsets the higher initial cost of the loop system.

Owned by John and Susan O'Connor, this will be the first McDonald's restaurant in Florida with geothermal heating and cooling when it opens later this year. Gulf Power Company and McDonald's Corporation will monitor the system the first year of operation to determine specifications for the most energy efficient system to meet McDonald's needs as well as energy savings.

Once the perfect energy efficiency "recipe" has been determined, geothermal could become just as popular for the Golden Arches as their famous burgers: "Billions of hamburgers served; Billions of kilowatts saved".

Gulf Power currently offers a $400-per-unit-ton incentive for geothermal installation. 11/13/2007.

Revolutionizing the Solar Panel Industry

Colorado State University's innovative method for manufacturing low-cost, high-efficiency solar panels is nearing mass production--bringing hundreds of jobs to the region and potentially providing light and power for billions in the underdeveloped world.

In a new 200-megawatt factory, expected to employ up to 500 people, AVA Solar Inc. will start production by the end of next year on the pioneering, patented technology developed by mechanical engineering Professor W.S. Sampath at Colorado State. Based on the average household usage, 200 megawatts will power 40,000 U.S. homes.

Produced at less than $1 per watt, the panels will dramatically reduce the cost of generating solar electricity and could power homes and businesses around the globe with clean energy for roughly the same cost as traditionally generated electricity. The technology is yet another example of Colorado State's leadership in cutting-edge research in the area of alternative energy solutions and sustainability; more than 80 faculty members on campus from all eight colleges are involved in clean energy research, including 25 in the College of Engineering. Source: Colorado State University, 09/2007.

Outreach, Education, Reports & Studies

Registration Open for South Dakota Wind Energy & Transmission Meeting, Nov 29-30, Sioux Falls

On Nov. 29th?30th, the meeting, Wind Energy and Transmission: The South Dakota Landscape will be held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The meeting will focus on wind and transmission issues relevant to South Dakota, including the following topics:

• Why South Dakota offers remarkable opportunities for wind power.
• Transmission constraints to greater wind power development in the state..
• Possible solutions to South Dakota's transmission constraints that would facilitate more wind energy in the region.
• Options for implementing transmission solutions and enhancing leadership involvement in these efforts.

An incredible group of speakers are taking part, including Senator John Thune and Lt. Governor Dennis Daugaard, utility commissioners, state legislators, utility executives, control area operators, and others.

Event registration is now open through the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative or the conference Web site. Logistics information is also available, including information on booking hotel rooms and directions to the meeting venue, the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

This meeting is brought to you by the American Wind Energy Association, National Wind Coordinating Collaborative, Western Area Power Administration, and Energy and Environmental Research Center. If your organization is interested in becoming a co-sponsor, please contact Katie Kalinowski, NWCC Outreach Coordinator, at 202-965-6383. Source: Katie Kaalinowski, National Wind Coordinating Collaborative, 10/30/2007.

Refocus Weekly -- Renewables Update -- Issue 270

Now available online. Source: Refocus Weekly, 11/14/2007

Renewable Webinars Scheduled for 2007-08

Learn the latest about wind, solar, geothermal, RECs and more. Our 2007-08 webinar series explores the issues and technologies shaping the renewable energy industry now.

Sponsors include National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, American Public Power Association, Western Area Power Administration and Northwest Public Power Association. DOE's Wind Powering America and GeoPowering the West programs, Solar Electric Power Association, American Wind Energy Association and Southeastern Power Administration are co-sponsoring the events. Source: Western, 11/14/2007.

2nd Annual Wood to Energy and Biomass Utilization Short Course

Colorado State University is offering its 2nd Annual Wood to Energy and Biomass Utilization Short Course Jan. 7-11 and Jan. 14-18 at CSU in Fort Collins. The course is designed to allow attendees to realistically appraise and establish successful biomass utilization projects and facilities. The first week emphasizes the 'in the woods' instruction and the second week focuses on the technology conversion applications. Course participants can register for either week only, or register for both weeklong sessions. Course attendance is limited. To make sure you receive complete registration materials and course information, contact Tim Reader at the Colorado State Forest Service at 970-247-5250. Source: John Covert and Rebecca Cantwell, 11/14/2007.

EPTC Hosts Wind Interconnection Workshop, Jan. 23-25, 2008, Electric Power Training Center, Golden, CO

Get ready to integrate today's fastest growing form of generation into your power mix. Come to the Wind Interconnection Workshop at the Electric Power Training Center in Golden, Colo., Jan. 23-24. An optional tour of the National Wind Technology Center is planned for Friday, Jan. 25. This two-day overview of wind energy will answer your questions about interconnecting wind turbines and other forms of distributed generation to electric distribution systems.

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is sponsoring the workshop. Co-sponsors include APPA's Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Developments Program, American Wind Energy Association, Utility Wind Integration Group, Western Area Power Administration, EPTC and DOE's Wind Powering America Program.

Participation is limited to the first 30 registrants. Online registration is open. The registration fee is $300. For more information about the workshop agenda, please contact Bob Putnam, CH2M Hill, at 315-751-2638. Source: Western Area Power Administration, 11/14/2007.

Using the Federal Production Tax Credit to Build a Durable Market for Wind Power in the United States

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is pleased to announce the release of their new article entitled "Using the Federal Production Tax Credit to Build a Durable Market for Wind Power in the United States." This article was recently published in The Electricity Journal and was funded in part by the Clean Energy States Alliance.

Among the most significant drivers of the recent growth in renewable generation in the U.S. is the federal production tax credit (PTC).  Despite the significance of the PTC, and the fact that Congress is currently considering a longer-term extension of the incentive, relatively little effort has been made to evaluate the impacts and effectiveness of the PTC, or to assess the benefits of a longer-term extension of the policy.

The purpose of this article is to make some modest strides in this direction by reviewing developments with the PTC over time, assessing its impact on the wind power market, highlighting the potentially positive implications of a longer-term extension of the PTC, and discussing some possible changes to the design of the PTC that might help overcome some of its limitations as presently structured.

Though the article is not intended to advocate any particular policy outcome, our analysis suggests that a longer-term extension of the federal PTC may provide a number of benefits, including accelerated wind deployment, reductions in installed wind project costs, and increased domestic wind turbine and component manufacturing. At the same time, we also identify several PTC design considerations, beyond the duration of any extension, which may deserve consideration by Congress.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Ryan Wiser at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 510-486-5474. Source: LBNL, 11/13/2007.

Western Seeks Customers for Cost-Share Wind Integration Study

Of all of the questions utilities have about wind power, the most fundamental may be, "How will a variable generation source effect our power system operations?" Western is looking for consumer-owned utilities interested in finding the answer.  Western, DOE's Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program and the National Renewable Energy Laboratoryare teaming up to conduct wind energy integration studies. Specifically, the study will look at the potential impact to the consumer-owned utility's transmission or distribution system, balancing operations and cost of service. "These are basic concerns that stand in the way of utilities placing wind generation in their service territories," said Western Renewables Program Manager Randy Manion. "The data from the studies could potentially pave the way to wider wind adoption."

The partnership is looking for public power providers in Western's 15-state territory that are interested in sharing the cost of the study. The project is focusing on consumer-owned utilities because they have lagged behind their investor-owned counterparts in addressing integration issues "Now that RPSs are starting to include municipalities and co-ops, they need to answer these questions," explained Brian Parsons, NREL Wind Applications project manager.

"The cost-sharing aspect of the program is intended as an incentive," Parsons said. Subject to funding availability, the qualifying utility(s) will receive a minimum of $200,000 to participate. Parsons estimated that the study would take from nine months to one year.

The project is different than a conventional interconnection study, which assumes that a wind facility is operating at full nameplate output under the worst conditions of the year. An operational study takes into account the affect of variability on a system. "Accommodating variability requires a utility to adjust its generators in different ways to balance the load," said Parsons.

Applicants do not need to have an operating wind farm in their service territory or own their own generation and transmission systems. NREL will provide wind data from a Meso model of the selected applicant's service territory. A Meso model is a computer model of the atmosphere containing all the weather data for one or more years from which site-specific data can be estimated. Utilities will contribute operational data to the studies, including historic load data and, if possible, load forecast data. This information creates an hour-by-hour simulation of system conditions. Wind data is then applied to the simulation to show how the system will change with the addition of the wind resource.

Utilities wishing to apply for the study should develop a comprehensive wind energy integration analysis proposal. The proposal should demonstrate how the utility will lead the study work and identify key internal staff and/or consultants to conduct the analysis. The Utility Wind Integration Group offers examples of wind grid integration studies and operating impact studies. Participants should be prepared to discuss the results at utility and wind industry forums.

To learn more about the Consumer-owned Utility Wind Grid Integration Cost-share Program, the partnership recommends interested utilities attend a conference call Dec. 6, 11 a.m. MST. Representatives from Western, DOE and NREL will explain the program in depth and answer questions. Contact Debbie Rock at 720-962-7271 to register. Participants will receive conference call instructions the week before the event. Source: Energy Services Bulletin, Vol. 26, No. 11, November 2007.

News from Washington

SMUD Wins DOE Wind Power Pioneer Award

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced that Sacramento, Calif., Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is receiving the 2007 Wind Power Pioneer Award.

Nationally recognized for its environmental efforts, the municipal utility was cited for leadership, demonstrated success, innovation and long history with wind power technologies.

SMUD was one of 14 public power utilities from across the United States that were nominated for the award this year. The DOE Wind Powering America program is presenting the award at the American Public Power Association's 2007 Customer Connections Conference in Seattle, WA, on October 30. The City of Palo Alto, Calif., Utilities, an award finalist, will also be recognized at that time.

"SMUD's a wind visionary and a wind leader. They've been at it for almost two decades. It's this kind of leadership that enables a utility to be ahead of the pack, breaking new ground so other utilities can benefit from their first hand experience with wind power technologies," said DOE Assistant Secretary Andy Karsner.

SMUD has aggressively developed wind power since 1993 when the municipal utility launched the 5-MW Solano wind project. Garnering data from the first turbines, SMUD replaced older units and added more powerful turbines, like the Vestas V-90 3-MW model, as they became available. The project now generates 39 MW, with an additional 63 MW planned for 2008, putting SMUD on track to achieve its ambitious goal of a 20-percent renewable energy portfolio by 2011.

"SMUD's investment in wind power fully supports our commitment renewable energy as a means to reducing adverse environmental impacts, reducing air pollution and enhancing resource conservation and stewardship," said SMUD Assistant General Manager Jim Shetler.

To protect its investment in state-of-the-art turbines, SMUD worked with Vestas to develop the first five-year, full-service operation and maintenance agreement in the United States, guaranteed by the manufacturer. To further mitigate the risk, SMUD split the Phase 2 project development contract, installing 24 MW in 2006 and scheduling 63 MW for 2008. Source: DOE, 11/1/2007.

Jobs from Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

On November 8, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) held a Congressional briefing entitled Green Collar Jobs: Why Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency are Economic Powerhouses.

Policymakers are considering how to tackle climate change and energy policy. The briefing showed that renewable energy and energy efficiency can offer the economic opportunity of the century--but only if we take advantage of this huge opportunity. Today, these industries generate 8.5 million jobs and nearly $1 trillion in annual revenue in the United States, and they contain some of the fastest growing sectors in the economy.

Publications and presentation released at the briefing are available online. Source: Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), 11/14/2007.

Sonoma County Water Agency Seeks Exclusive Wave Power Rights (Reg. & Leg.)

California's Sonoma County Water Agency is seeking exclusive rights from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study and develop wave-energy technology along the entire 41-mile county coastline extending 12 miles out to sea; an expanse of about 490 square miles according to FERC spokesman Cordel Stillman. Sonoma County's water agency is filing for the permit because, in its opinion, a public entity is in a better position to protect fisheries and marine habitats that could be affected by the wave power generation machinery including cables and huge concrete anchors, Supervisor Mike Reilly said.

According to FERC records, the Sonoma County application will become the seventh wave-energy application pending for a segment of California coastline. To date no application has been granted approval. (Source: San Francisco Chronicle, Nov. 12, '07)  

Contact: Cordel Stillman, 707-547-1953, Mike Reilly, Supervisor, Sonoma County Water Agency, 707-565-2241, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Source: EP Overviews, 11/13/2007.

State Activities, Marketing & Market Research

$5,400,000 US in State Funds to Leverage $14,000,000 US Private Investment in Pennsylvania (Funding)

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced an investment of $5,400,000 US through the state's Energy Harvest program to 28 innovative projects that will generate clean and renewable energy, reduce pollution, conserve natural resources and educate the public on the benefits of renewable energy technologies. These grants are expected to leverage almost $14,000,000 US in private investments.

Some of the projects funded include St. Francis University -- $303,830 US to continue the Pennsylvania Wind Assessment Program which will leverage $10,200,000 US in private investments in six community-owned wind power projects. These projects will generate 15 million kilowatthours of electricity per year. Contact: Renewable Energy Center, 814-472-2872. Source: EP Overviews, 11/14/2007.

Electric Transmission Corridor Zones

Public meeting Wednesday, Nov. 21. Possible adoption of regulations to implement the California Energy Commission's program for designating electric transmission corridor zones under Public Resources Code sections 25330-25341 (added by SB 1059 (Escutia) Chapter 638, Statutes of 2006). Source: CEC, 11/14/2007.

HECO Offers Free Data for Wind Power

Hawaiian Electric Co. is offering its data on wind conditions and bird activities in the Kahuku area of Oahu to anyone who wants to go into the wind-energy business.  The utility spent millions to develop a wind farm near Kahuku in the 1980s, but pulled the plug after a series of technological and logistical problems made the project untenable.  Some entrepreneurs have expressed interest in using new technology to revive interest in an Oahu wind farm, but so far there are no plans in place and HECO has said it's unlikely to restart the Kahuku project.

Karl Stahlkopf, senior vice president of energy solutions and chief technology officer for HECO, said the company is offering the data for free to encourage the production of more renewable energy in Hawaii. HECO is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Industries. The package includes wind data collected at various Kahuku sites in the 1980s and 2007 as well as an avian radar study. Additional wind data will be available in spring 2008. Source: Pacific Business News, 11/14/ 2007.

Grants, RFPs & Other Funding News

DOE Announces Solicitation for 2008 Solar America Cities

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the release of a funding opportunity that will create partnerships between DOE and a new round of Solar America Cities. The 2008 Solar America Cities program will fund up to twelve cities that demonstrate their commitment to building a sustainable solar infrastructure.
 
Subject to negotiation of final terms, DOE will provide up to $2.4 million in financial assistance to the competitively selected, cost-shared, two-year projects. Additionally, DOE will provide up to $3.0 million over two years in hands-on technical assistance from technical and policy experts to help cities integrate solar technologies into city energy planning, zoning, and facilities; to streamline city-level regulations and practices that affect solar adoption by residents and local businesses; and to promote solar technology through outreach, curriculum development, and incentive programs. Including cost share, the value of the awards is expected to be up top $7.8 million.
 
Solar America Cities have been identified as large cities with high electricity demand, and represent a diverse geography, population, and maturity of solar infrastructure. To be eligible for a Solar America Cities award, cities must have a population of 100,000 or more, as the DOE attempts to promote solar in America's electricity load centers. The efforts of the Solar America Cities will improve the ability of citizens and businesses to adopt solar technology locally and provide a model that other cities across the country can follow.
 
Awards will be made competitively and are subject to both evaluations by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, as well as to congressional appropriations. DOE is also announcing the selection of two Solar America Showcases. Solar America Showcases are large-scale, replicable installations of solar technology that DOE will support with technical assistance. DOE will assist the Northeast Denver Housing Center in overcoming barriers to the installation of solar photovoltaics on 80 permanently affordable housing units. Additionally, Montclair State University will receive technical assistance in support of the 280-kW "solar farm" at its New Jersey School of Conservation.  
 
 The 2007 Solar America Cities are: Ann Arbor, MI; Austin, TX; Berkeley, CA; Boston, MA; Madison, WI; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Tucson, AZ.
  
For more information, including on funding opportunities, please visit the EERE Project Management Center, or contact contact James M. Ferguson, States Coordinator, Eastern States, National Energy Technology Laboratory; 412-386-6043; fax #: 412-386-4561. Mailing address: 626 Cochrans Mill Road, P.O. Box 10940, Building 920, Room 202, Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940.  Source: EERE Project Management Center, 10/29/2007.

Green Power Financial Opportunities Available on EERE Web Site

The U.S. DOE EERE Green Power Network now posts solicitations for renewable energy generation, renewable energy certificates and green power on its Web site. Visitors can also sign up to receive e-mail updates about new green power RFPs. The RFPs and solicitations are from private organizations and are not endorsed by the Green Power Network. Source: Western Area Power Administration, 11/15/2007.

Learn more about funding solicitations.